<p>The Fire and Emergency Services Department has made it mandatory for buildings that cross 60 metres height to have water curtains and chutes to obtain a no-objection certificate. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Addressing a seminar on “Disaster Management and Fire Safety” organised by the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Fire and Emergency Department Joint Director D Rasheed said new measures had to be in place in addition to the already existing ones such as water sprinklers recommended under the National Building Laws.” <br /><br />He said in an attempt to ensure prevention or spread of fire and help evacuation, these measures had to be put in place. <br /><br />He explained that water curtains that will be put near doors or exit points would prevent the heat and smoke from penetrating, and thus help minimise the impact of disaster. <br /><br />“These are fitted with detectors and will slide down automatically and compartmentalise the place in case there is fire,” he said. <br /><br />The chute, which will act as an escape tunnel for people to jump down a few floors, will aid easy escape. Designed with flexible material that is fire-proof, the same needs to be put in place for NoC.<br /><br />The chute will be designed in a way to provide grip for a person.<br /><br /> “If the person wants to slide down, all he has to do is contract himself by folding the hands tight. In case there is a need to stop in between, he will have to expand his arms and he will be firmly gripped to the walls of the chute,” Rasheed explained.<br /><br />Fire and Emergency Services Director General of Police, Om Prakash, said even as there were measures to tackle the fire from outside, the measures would not be effective. <br /><br />“There are challenges like velocity of wind and height due to which the operation might not be successful. Thus, it is ideal we battle it from inside,” he added.<br /> <br />The government has also agreed to provide a 90-metre aerial ladder imported from Finland at a cost of Rs 25 crore. <br /><br />However, Prakash said it had limitations as it was not easily portable. “It is important for us to be prepared with a built-in system,” he said. |<br /><br />Disaster Management Committee Chairman B Amarnath said the department received over 10,800 calls in 2014. <br /><br />“Three hundred sixty-two lives were rescued and property worth 43.18 lakh saved,” he said, adding that the number of high-rise buildings were going up in Mangalore, Hubli and Dharwad. <br /><br />Fire accidents<br /><br />IGP K L Sudheer said 23,000 people die in the country each year due to fire accidents, according to the National Crime Bureau statistics, and most were women. <br /><br />He added that 40-45 per cent claims in insurance companies were related to fire accidents.</p>
<p>The Fire and Emergency Services Department has made it mandatory for buildings that cross 60 metres height to have water curtains and chutes to obtain a no-objection certificate. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Addressing a seminar on “Disaster Management and Fire Safety” organised by the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Fire and Emergency Department Joint Director D Rasheed said new measures had to be in place in addition to the already existing ones such as water sprinklers recommended under the National Building Laws.” <br /><br />He said in an attempt to ensure prevention or spread of fire and help evacuation, these measures had to be put in place. <br /><br />He explained that water curtains that will be put near doors or exit points would prevent the heat and smoke from penetrating, and thus help minimise the impact of disaster. <br /><br />“These are fitted with detectors and will slide down automatically and compartmentalise the place in case there is fire,” he said. <br /><br />The chute, which will act as an escape tunnel for people to jump down a few floors, will aid easy escape. Designed with flexible material that is fire-proof, the same needs to be put in place for NoC.<br /><br />The chute will be designed in a way to provide grip for a person.<br /><br /> “If the person wants to slide down, all he has to do is contract himself by folding the hands tight. In case there is a need to stop in between, he will have to expand his arms and he will be firmly gripped to the walls of the chute,” Rasheed explained.<br /><br />Fire and Emergency Services Director General of Police, Om Prakash, said even as there were measures to tackle the fire from outside, the measures would not be effective. <br /><br />“There are challenges like velocity of wind and height due to which the operation might not be successful. Thus, it is ideal we battle it from inside,” he added.<br /> <br />The government has also agreed to provide a 90-metre aerial ladder imported from Finland at a cost of Rs 25 crore. <br /><br />However, Prakash said it had limitations as it was not easily portable. “It is important for us to be prepared with a built-in system,” he said. |<br /><br />Disaster Management Committee Chairman B Amarnath said the department received over 10,800 calls in 2014. <br /><br />“Three hundred sixty-two lives were rescued and property worth 43.18 lakh saved,” he said, adding that the number of high-rise buildings were going up in Mangalore, Hubli and Dharwad. <br /><br />Fire accidents<br /><br />IGP K L Sudheer said 23,000 people die in the country each year due to fire accidents, according to the National Crime Bureau statistics, and most were women. <br /><br />He added that 40-45 per cent claims in insurance companies were related to fire accidents.</p>
